Jon Bell’s psychological horror The Moogai has scooped the CinefestOZ Movie Prize Award of $66,500 (A$100,000) – Australia’s most profitable prize for an area manufacturing.
The award was given on Saturday (September 7) on the 17th CinefestOZ Movie Competition in Busselton, Western Australia and accepted by co-producer Alex White and actor Meyne Wyatt.
The Moogai marks the characteristic debut of Indigenous author/director Bell and follows a younger girl, performed by Shari Sebbens, who believes an evil spirit is intent on taking her kids. It explores the themes of post-natal despair, transgenerational trauma and indigenous kids taken from their dad and mom – often called the stolen era.
UK-based Bankside Movies handles gross sales of the movie, which premiered at Sundance and went on to play SXSW and Sydney Movie Competition, profitable the viewers award on the latter.
Australian actress and filmmaker Rachel Griffiths chaired the competitors jury, which assessed finalists that additionally included Runt, Audrey and Memoir Of A Snail.
“The jury felt The Moogai stood out for its sensible use of the psychological thriller to discover the intergenerational trauma of the stolen era in a brilliantly acted, taut and emotionally impactful film that’s ingenious – cinematic – and sits comfortably inside this internationally interesting style – telling an outdated story in a brand new manner,” stated Griffiths.
Griffiths, identified for roles in HBO sequence Six Ft Underneath and have Hacksaw Ridge and as director of 2019’s Trip Like A Woman, was additionally named a CinefestOZ Display screen Legend for her excellent contribution to the Australian movie business.
CinefestOZ Movie Competition ran from August 31 to September 8.